Friends of a popular DJ killed in a helicopter crash are marking his 40th birthday with a heavy metal evening.

Matthew Wood, 39, from Sutton, was killed in Vauxhall crash as he made his way to work in January this year.

He would have turned 40 tomorrow and his friends have decided to celebrate his life and love of metal music at The Ship in Croydon on Saturday from 7.30pm.

His family and friends are also having a quieter get-together at the Old Bank in Sutton on Friday and have made special T-shirts with images and memories of Matthew on them.

His sister, Amanda Wood, said: “On Saturday everyone can request songs and there will be a raffle to raise money for a trust fund for his god son.

“[Matthew] had only got as far as organising the Old Bank for drinks.

“His funeral was not like a normal funeral and his friends want to give him a ‘heavy metal’ send off.”

Miss Wood, who previously described her brother as a ‘big guy with a big heart’ said her family were doing okay and taking each day as it comes.